THE SWEET WATER cafe is no more.
One of Marquette’s favored dining spots on Third Street has been renamed Cafe Bodega (meaning: a small store that sells groceries and wine).
The new sign went up Monday afternoon.
It’s the latest and most visible change instituted by the new owners Leslie Seratti and Libby Nelson who bought the restaurant a few months ago.
But there’s a lot more going on inside, like….
1…New, longer hours, 8 am to 10 pm six days a week, closed on Monday.
2…A new bar, serving a busier nighttime crowd.
3…A new menu, featuring several Mexican dishes (El Zorro Burrito, Huevos Rancheros, Enchiladas Potosina, Chimichuri Beef, and others) along with Quinoa Spinach, Thai Chicken Wings, Ginger Stir Fry, Cranberry Cheddar Turkey, etc. Eclectic, to say the least.
4…Live music with a dance floor. That’ll be up and running by summer.
5…A garden patio out back for outdoor dining. That’ll also be ready for summer.
What won’t change from the Sweet Water, according to the new owners? The continued emphasis on organic, healthful and local (when possible) foods. All breads and desserts are baked in-house.
Some may mourn the passing of the Sweet Water name. But the name “Bodega” ain’t bad, either. And it better reflects what Seratti and Nelson want to do with the restaurant/bar–make it a gathering place for the town, morning through night.
And the new place will have a little more sizzle. A little more fun.
NOW, THE LATEST on one of Ishpeming’s signature fun spots–Cognition Brewing Company.
Owner Jay Clancey still hasn’t resolved his unfortunate legal dispute with the bar’s landlord, the Mather Inn. Both sides claim they’re owed money by the other side, and it doesn’t appear this’ll be resolved anytime soon.
Solution? Clancey concedes he’s now looking at other possible venues for Cognition, including the old Nardi Building (aka Anderson Building) at Main and Pearl Streets.
The lease for the current Cognition location is up next month, so the time for a decision is at hand.
Clancey doesn’t want to move. He calls the current location, which was the original tap room for the Mather Inn, a special place. They’ve done a lot to improve it. The community has embraced it.
And the craft beer has acquired a statewide reputation.
Still there’s that nasty courtroom stuff. Couldn’t the feuding parties resolve their spat over a beer or two?
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NO PROBLEMS FOR McCabe’s Quality Flooring in south Marquette. Except for overcrowding and lack of space.
And that’s now been resolved with the acquisition of a vacant building on US 41 next to the current McCabe’s store.
Space has been more than doubled for this second generation family business, and the new building will serve as a showroom for the business in a highly visible spot on the highway. The old building will be used as a warehouse for McCabe’s flooring materials.
Business has been brisk and quarters have been cramped.
No more.
They’re hoping to show off their new showroom by early next month.
You got news? Email me at briancabell@gmail.com